FWCS Homeless Assistance Program Kicks Off School Year - August 03, 2017

Fort Wayne Community Schools' Homeless Assistance Program will kick off the 2017-18 school year with its third annual Back to School Celebration at the Bill C. Anthis Center, 1200 S. Barr St.

Families in need of assistance are invited to the event on Saturday to get ready for the new school year, which begins Tuesday, Aug. 15. Students can receive free book bags, school supplies, hygiene products, new books, hats, gloves and shoes. In addition, lunch will be provided at no cost during the event. For event details please contact the Family and Community Engagement Center 467-2113.

The celebration is sponsored by Parkview Hospital, NIPSCO, Sweetwater Sound, Salvation Army-Tools for Schools, Sports Center-Fort Wayne, Feed the Children and other organizations participation in the Community Resource Fair.

The start of the school year should be an exciting time for all children, but for too many kids it is stressful because their families cannot afford new back-to-school supplies,' said Wendy Hoering, FWCS Homeless Liaison Coordinator. With this event, we hope to ease some of that burden and create excitement about going back to school. We appreciate the support of so many in the community to ensure students get off to a great start.'

Each year, Fort Wayne Community Schools assists hundreds of homeless students and their families in an effort to maintain school as a stable environment during times of transition. FWCS assists with clothing, transportation and other support as needed.

With nearly 30,000 students, Fort Wayne Community Schools is one of the largest school districts in Indiana. FWCS proudly allows families to choose any of its 50 schools through its successful school-choice program creating diversity in each school, including some with more than 75 languages spoken. FWCS offers seven magnet schools focusing on areas such as science and math, communication, fine arts or Montessori at the elementary and middle school level. In high school, students can choose from the prestigious International Baccalaureate program, Project Lead the Way or New Tech Academy as well as other rigorous academic and specialty training programs.